Bandido who dealt meth out of old folks home asks for leniency

Published 11:08 pm, Wednesday, July 31, 2013

An admitted member of the Bandidos biker gang caught dealing meth out of an Everett home for the elderly and disabled is trying to stay out of another government housing project – federal prison.

Having admitted to dealing methamphetamine out of an Everett Housing Authority building while toting a gun with no serial number, David W. Heath faces up to five years in prison when he is sentenced Thursday. Heath, a chronically ill 65-year-old, hopes U.S. District Judge Thomas Zilly will instead sentence him to house arrest and probation.

Known to police as “Bandido Dave,” Heath was investigated and arrested in November 2012 after residents at the Bakerview Apartments reported a stream of young people coming in and out of Heath’s unit between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m. A police informant bought meth from Heath prior to a Nov. 16 raid, which saw two ounces of meth, seven guns and nearly $4,000 in cash recovered from the home.

According to prosecutor’s statements, Heath initially claimed he was using the meth to treat his girlfriend for seizures, and that the tiny bags of meth were actually controlled “doses.”

Prosecutors have asked that Heath, who has no substantive criminal record, be sentenced to five years in prison.

Writing the court, Assistant U.S. Attorney Ye-Ting Woo asserted Heath dealt drugs in a housing project meant to be “a sanctuary” for elderly and disabled people. He did so, Woo continued, while serving as a ranking member of a violent motorcycle gang.

“As (Heath) aged and relied on public assistance, rather than engage in lawful employment or otherwise contribute to his community and the greater good of society, the defendant leads a life devoting his energies to dealing narcotics and supporting an outlaw motorcycle gang,” the federal prosecutor told the court.

Described by his attorney as being in poor health, Heath claims to have used meth occasionally since he worked as a long-haul trucker in the 1970s. He started using again in 2011.

Through his attorney, Heath claims to have joined the Bandidos in the past five years. He did so, his attorney explained, for “friendship and company” but has since been kicked out of the club due to his drug use.

Like the rival Hells Angels, the Bandidos Motorcycle Club is an international organization long associated with criminal activities, from drug running to murder. In Washington, Bandidos members and members of affiliated clubs have been charged with extortion and federal gun crimes in recent years.

While Heath pleaded guilty, prosecutors noted he has refused to cooperate with police. A Bandidos patch reading “Snitches Get Stitches” was recovered from Health’s home; the patch also said “Support your local Bandidos.”

Heath is currently free on bond pending the sentencing hearing, which is scheduled to occur Thursday at the U.S. District Courthouse in Seattle.